F1 Monaco GP 2021: Qualifying for the Monte Carlo Formula 1 Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc pole and full starting grid

HHello and welcome to this live blog for the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix qualifying session. Lewis Hamilton is the favorite, as always, after his recent exploits in Barcelona and Portimao. The Monaco track, laid out in the very streets of the Principality, is a massive test of precision and composure given its countless twists and turns in tight spaces.
F1 Monaco GP 2021 – Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix LIVE
This is the start of our Monaco GP qualifying live blog, with the most recent entries coming to the top. We will have all the latest news from the track in the Principality, so follow us!
4:05 p.m. CEST: Leclerc wins
It’s a first pole for Ferrari in qualifying since Mexico City 2019, in an unconventional way. It was an excellent race for Leclerc, who reached pole despite falling into the barriers with just 18 seconds to go.
4:00 p.m. CEST: Red flag and pole for Leclerc!
In pole position and just 18 seconds from the end, Leclerc crashes into the barrier, but he has the fastest time and will start the Monaco Grand Prix first!
3:52 p.m. CEST: Leclerc with a fast lap
Leclerc’s 1: 10.346 lap gives him a 0.2 second advantage over Verstappen. Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, is not far from Verstappen either.
3:45 p.m. CEST: Verstappen on fire
“Max Verstappen made a good start to Q3 with a 1: 10.576 to get out of goal.
But Valtteri Bottas finished his lap just 0.060 seconds behind Red Bull, so a good start for the Merc too.
Can Ferrari beat both? Leclerc and Sainz then.
3.30 p.m. CEST: Mercedes lagging behind
Hamilton and Bottas are fifth and sixth respectively, with Verstappen looking to secure a sizable advantage. The Dutch-Belgian driver is serious.
Q2 in progress
3:25 p.m. CEST: Disappointment for Alonso
Spanish driver Fernando Alonso only managed 17th place, falling in Q1. This represents his worst position on the Monaco starting grid in eleven years, when a fall in P3 excluded him from qualifying.
3:20 p.m. CEST: The unfortunate five
Five drivers drop out in the first trimester:
16) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
17) Fernando Alonso, alpine
18) Nicholas Latifi, Williams
19) Nikitz Mazepin, Haas
20) Mick Schumacher, Haas
3:15 p.m. CEST: Russell looks good
George Russell looks good right now in his Williams, up to tenth place two minutes from time.
3:09 p.m. CEST: Bottas picks up speed
Valtteri Bottas picked up speed, two tenths of a second ahead of Verstappen.
3:05 p.m. CEST: Ricciardo in trouble
Italian-Australian Daniel Ricciardo was 0.7 seconds behind McLaren’s team-mates after one lap.
We are in progress
He’ll need a lot better than that for the second trimester’s progression alone.
2:50 p.m. CEST: Better news for Lafiti
Although Schumacher was not so lucky, there was better news for the other pilot who crashed in FP3. Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi has recovered and will be present for the qualifying session after hard work by Team Williams.
2:30 p.m. CEST: Verstappen leads after FP3
While all eyes were on Lewis Hamilton, it was Max Verstappen who led FP3 ahead of Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc respectively. Hamilton was only able to finish seventh, having struggled throughout the session, although that could mean very little for the Englishman who is no stranger to getting around tough situations.
1:50 p.m. CEST: Bad news for Haas
This is bad news for the Haas team and Mick Schumacher as the German will not be able to take part in qualifying. The youngster’s vehicle sustained chassis damage in the crash during FP3 as it left Casino Square.
1:00 p.m. CEST: Monte Carlo Formula 1 Grand Prix Qualifying – Start Time, How To Watch, Channel
Qualification for the Monaco Grand Prix is ââof global interest and is therefore broadcast around the world. Here is a selection of countries that will broadcast the event, along with the channel and start time.
France – Canal + (3:00 p.m. CEST)
Germany – Sky (3:00 p.m. CEST)
Italy – Sky (3:00 p.m. CEST)
Spain – Movistar / DAZN (15:00 CEST)
UK – Sky Sports F1 (2:00 p.m. BST)
United States – ESPN (9:00 a.m.ET)
Canada – RDS / TSN / Discovery Velocity (9 a.m. ET)
India – Star Sports (6.30 p.m. IST)
Australia – Fox Sports / Network 10 (11:00 p.m. AEST)
New Zealand – Spark Sports (01:00 NZST)